Christ Church Cathedral

Christ Church Cathedral sits at the top of Trafalgar Street, raised above the rest of the town on a small hill so that the long, straight main street ends with the cathedral as its visual full stop. The steps up from Trafalgar Square are a Nelson landmark in their own right and a useful viewpoint over the town.

Inside, the cathedral is bright and uncluttered — Takaka marble floor, plain pillars, and modern stained glass that brings in colour without dominating. Entry is free; the cathedral is normally open during daylight hours and short concerts are sometimes held in the evenings.

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A story
The cathedral was started in 1925, but funds, war, and changing architectural fashions kept it under construction for nearly fifty years. The original Gothic Revival design was abandoned partway through, leaving the building with a heavier, more Art Deco upper section sitting on Gothic lower walls — a mismatch that locals now treat with affection.